Collapsible cellular communication terminal having a camera having photographing control function and photographing control method in the terminal

ABSTRACT

A folding mobile communications terminal according to the present invention is a folding mobile communications terminal that has a photographing function and is openable/closable. This folding mobile communications terminal detects whether the folds are closed, and disables the photographing function if the folds are closed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a folding built-in camera mobilecommunications terminal that has a photographing control function, and aphotographing control method used in the terminal.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, multiple functions have rapidly been developed formobile communications terminals such as mobile telephones. Lately,built-in camera mobile telephones, which have a CCD (Charge CoupledDevice) camera that employs semiconductor photodetectors for convertinglight into electrical signals, are coming into wide use.

Built-in camera mobile telephones are convenient in terms of that a usercan take them along anywhere and photograph desired objects anytime withease. Here, “to photograph” represents a process of forming an image ofan object on the surface of a semiconductor photodetector through a lensof a camera and converting the formed image into image data.

A CCD camera is arranged on the rear side of such built-in camera mobiletelephone. The object image photographed by the CCD camera is displayedon a liquid crystal screen provided on the front side of the mobiletelephone. This enables the user to see the image of the photographedobject on the liquid crystal screen on the spot. Furthermore, the usercan store the photographed object image in the mobile telephone, or sendit to his/her friends and family by email.

Recently, however, such convenient built-in camera mobile telephones areoften misused to take sneak shots, which poses a social problem. Also,built-in camera mobile telephones are made foldable so that they becomecompact. While this makes the built-in camera mobile telephones evenmore convenient, this causes apprehension about increase in the attemptsof taking sneak shots using such increasingly convenient foldingbuilt-in camera mobile telephones.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding built-incamera mobile communications terminal with a photographing controlfunction to prevent attempts of taking sneak shots and a photographingcontrol method used in the terminal.

The above object is achieved by a folding mobile telephone that has aphotographing function and is openable and closable. The folding mobiletelephone includes (i) a photographic lens which is exposed externallyirrespective of whether the folding mobile telephone is in a closedstate, a partly-open state, or a completely-open state, (ii) a detectingunit operable to detect whether the folding mobile telephone is in theclosed state, and (iii) a photographing control unit operable to disablethe photographing function when the detecting unit detects that thefolding mobile telephone is in the closed state.

The above-mentioned constituent features make a photographer unable toperform photographing when the folding mobile telephone is in the closedstate and thereby in its compact state. It is therefore difficult forthe photographer to take photos without being noticed by the peoplearound him/her. As a result, the attempts of taking sneak shots areeffectively prevented.

The detecting unit may further detect whether the folding mobiletelephone is in the partly-open state. The photographing control unitmay further disable the photographing function when the detecting unitdetects that the folding mobile telephone is in the partly-open state.

In addition, the above-mentioned object may be achieved by aphotographing control method for a folding mobile telephone that has aphotographing function and is openable and closable. The photographingcontrol method includes (i) a detecting step of detecting that thefolding mobile telephone is in one of a closed state and a partly-openstate, the partly-open state being a state in which the folding mobiletelephone is not completely open, and (ii) a photographing control stepof disabling the photographing function when detected that the foldingmobile telephone is in one of the closed state and the partly-openstate.

These features can prevent the photographer from taking sneak shotsusing the folding mobile telephone in a partly-open state.

The photographing control unit may include a warning unit operable togenerate a warning when the detecting unit detects that the foldingmobile telephone is in one of the closed state and the partly-openstate.

The photographing control unit may include a warning unit operable togenerate a warning when the detected opening angle is below thethreshold angle.

The photographing control unit may include a warning unit operable togenerate a warning when the detecting unit detects that the foldingmobile telephone is in the closed state.

The above-mentioned constituent features enable the photographer tonotice that the photographing function has been disabled.

The folding mobile telephone further includes a lightness judging unitoperable to (i) measure lightness which indicates a level of ambientlight and (ii) judge whether the lightness is below a threshold level.The photographing control unit may further disable the photographingfunction when the lightness judging unit judges that the lightness isbelow the threshold level.

These constituent features prohibit photographing performed in darkplaces, where sneak shots are likely to be taken. As a result, the abovefeatures can effectively prevent vile attempts, for example, takingdownblouse and upskirt shots.

The photographing control unit may include a warning unit operable togenerate a warning when the lightness judging unit judges that thelightness is below the threshold level.

This constituent feature can arouse attention of targets of sneak shotsso that they easily notice the vile attempts.

The folding mobile telephone may further include a lightness judgingunit operable to (i) measure lightness which indicates a level ofambient light and (ii) judge whether the lightness is below a thresholdlevel. The photographing control unit may include a warning unitoperable to generate a warning when the lightness judging unit judgesthat the lightness is below the threshold level.

The warning unit may generate the warning by emitting light.

The warning unit may generate the warning by making the folding mobilecommunications terminal vibrate.

The warning unit may generate the warning by outputting a voice message.

The above-mentioned constituent features enable a warning to begenerated when the photographer attempts to capture sneak shots in darkplaces. Accordingly, the targets of the sneak shots immediately noticethat they are secretly photographed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an external view of a folding mobile communicationsterminal 1 in the open state, wherein, more specifically, FIG. 1A showsa front view of the folding mobile communications terminal 1, FIG. 1Bshows a right side view of the folding mobile communications terminal 1,and FIG. 1C shows a rear view of the folding mobile communicationsterminal 1.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of thefolding mobile communications terminal 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing, in detail, a photographing controloperation performed by a control unit 34 (shown in FIG. 2).

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing, in detail, a photographing controloperation performed by the control unit 34 when a warning sound isgenerated instead of terminating a photographing operation.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A folding mobile communications terminal to which an embodiment of thepresent invention relates is a folding mobile communications terminalthat has a photographing function and is openable and closable. Thisfolding mobile communications terminal detects whether the folds areclosed, and disables the photographing function if the folds are closed.

Construction

The following describes, in detail, the folding mobile communicationsterminal according to the present invention, with reference to theattached figures.

FIG. 1 shows an external view of a folding mobile communicationsterminal 1 relating to the present embodiment in the open state,wherein, more specifically, FIG. 1A shows a front view of the foldingmobile communications terminal 1, FIG. 1B shows a right side view of thefolding mobile communications terminal 1, and FIG. 1C presents a rearview of the folding mobile communications terminal 1.

The folding mobile communications terminal 1 includes: a subhousing 11;a subhousing 12; a main display unit 13; an operating unit 36; amicrophone 15; an open/close state detecting unit 16; a receiver 17; anearphone terminal 18; an antenna 31; a speaker 20; a sub-display unit21; a camera unit 22; a hinge unit 23; a mirror 24; and an opening 25.

To make the description simple, the subhousing 11, the subhousing 12,the open/close state detecting unit 16, a side key 14 i included in theoperating unit 36, the earphone terminal 18, the mirror 24, and theopening 25 are described first, and the other constituents will bedescribed in the later part.

The subhousing 11 and the subhousing 12 are joined together by means ofthe hinge unit 23 provided therebetween, to form a foldable housing. Themain display unit 13 and the receiver 17 are arranged on the innersurface (shown in FIG. 1A) of the subhousing 11. The speaker 20 and thesub-display unit 21 are arranged on the outer surface (shown in FIG. 1C)of the subhousing 11.

The operating unit 36 and the microphone 15 are arranged on the innersurface (shown in FIG. 1A) of the subhousing 12. The camera unit 22, themirror 24, and the opening 25 are arranged on the outer surface (shownin FIG. 1C) of the subhousing 12. The side key 14 i that functions as ashutter button for performing photographing with the camera unit 22 isarranged on the side of the subhousing 12.

Also, a photographic lens included in the camera unit 22 is arranged onthe surface of the subhousing 12.

The side key 14 i is used to perform photographing with the camera unit22. The side key 14 i has two states, namely, halfway pressed and fullypressed. When the side key 14 i is halfway pressed, a photographingoperation start instruction is issued to a control unit 34 (describedlater). When fully pressed, a photographing execution instruction isissued.

Here, the “photographing operation start instruction” is an instructionto have the camera unit 22 start capturing an object image andsequentially display, on the main display unit 13, as image data, thecaptured object image.

The “photographing execution instruction” is an instruction to have amemory unit 38 (described later) store an object image that isphotographed by the camera unit 22 at the point of the issuance of thephotographing execution instruction.

The open/close state detecting unit 16 is a microswitch thatmechanically detects whether the folding mobile communications terminal1 is in the open state or the closed state. For instance, the detectionis performed in the following manner. A convex part (indicated byreference numeral 16 a in FIG. 1A) is provided on the subhousing 11. Ifthe convex part is pressing down the open/close state detecting unit 16,the open/close state detecting unit 16 mechanically detects that thefolding mobile communications terminal 1 is in the closed state, andoutputs a detection signal to the control unit 34 (described later). Inthis way, the control unit 34 can detect that the folding mobilecommunications terminal 1 is in the closed state.

As an alternative, the open/close state detecting unit 16 may performthe detection in the following manner. A light sensor is provided in theopen/close state detecting unit 16. This light sensor generates avoltage according to the quantity of light received by the light sensorthrough an opening provided on the open/close state detecting unit 16.The folding mobile communications terminal 1 is judged as being in theopen state if the generated voltage is greater than a threshold voltagethat is determined beforehand in connection with the open state, orjudged as being in the partly-open state if the generated voltage is nomore than the threshold voltage. Likewise, the folding mobilecommunications terminal 1 is judged as being in the closed state if thegenerated voltage is below a threshold voltage that is determinedbeforehand in connection with the closed state.

Here, the “partly-open state” represents a state in which the foldingmobile communications terminal 1 is not completely open, for example,the opening angle between the inner surfaces of the subhousing 11 andsubhousing 12 is not more than a predetermined angle, say, 90 degrees.

The detection may be performed using other known techniques, such asusing an encoder to detect the opening angle between the subhousing 11and the subhousing 12.

The earphone terminal 18 is used for connecting an earphone microphoneto the folding mobile communications terminal 1.

The mirror 24 is used when a user attempts to take a photo ofhimself/herself. More specifically, the user can make sure that thephotographic lens of the camera unit 22 properly finds himself/herself,by checking whether s/he can see his/her own reflections in the mirror24.

The opening 25 lets ambient light in so that a light sensor unit 37(described later) can detect a level of the ambient light of thesubhousing 12 (hereinafter referred to as lightness).

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram presenting a configuration of thefolding mobile communications terminal 1. As shown, the folding mobilecommunications terminal 1 includes: the antenna 31; atransmitting/receiving unit 32; a modulating/demodulating unit 33; thecontrol unit 34; the main display unit 13; the sub-display unit 21; thecamera unit 22; a camera interface (I/F) 35; the operating unit 36; avoice processing unit 39; the microphone 15; the receiver 17; the lightsensor unit 37; and the memory unit 38.

The antenna 31 transmits and receives radio waves for communication.

The transmitting/receiving unit 32 transmits and receives data which iscommunicated via radio waves. Here, the communication data includes:sound data of a telephone conversation; character information; imagedata; control data used to control communication (e.g. informationregarding incoming voice communication such as a telephone number of acaller, information regarding incoming emails and text messages that aresent using the Short Message Service (SMS) bearer) and the like.

The modulating/demodulating unit 33 modulates communication data to betransmitted. The modulating/demodulating unit 33 also demodulatesreceived communication data, and outputs it to the voice processing unit39.

The control unit 34 includes, for example, a microprocessor, a Read OnlyMemory (ROM) 34 a, and a Random Access Memory (RAM) 34 b. The controlunit 34 performs various kinds of control such as photographing control,according to a control program stored in the ROM 34 a. Morespecifically, the control unit 34 performs the photographing controlbased on: the user's instruction concerning photographing (aphotographing operation start instruction or a photographing executioninstruction) inputted via the side key 14 i; a detection signaloutputted from the open/close state detecting unit 16; and a voltagewhich is outputted from the light sensor unit 37. When the control unit34 receives the photographing execution instruction, the control unit 34reads, from the RAM 34 b, image data of a captured object image andstores the image data in the memory unit 38.

The above-mentioned photographing control performed by the control unit34 is explained in detail later.

The ROM 34 a stores the control program mentioned above and a thresholdvoltage which is compared with the voltage outputted from the lightsensor unit 37.

The RAM 34 b stores communication data received and to be transmitted;image data of a captured object image, phonebook data (for example, 999memory dial entries) and the like, temporarily or until the user erasesor changes the data via the operating unit 36.

Note that a large-capacity RAM dedicated to store image data of acaptured object image may be provided in addition to the RAM 34 b.

The main display unit 13 can be realized by any of a color liquidcrystal display apparatus, a digital micromirror device (DMD), anorganic electro luminescence (EL) display apparatus, a plasma displaypanel (PDP) and the like. The main display unit 13 displays: an objectimage captured by the camera unit 22 (a moving image or an intermittentimage in almost real time captured after a photographing operation startinstruction is issued but before a photographing execution instructionis issued, or a still image photographed at the point of the issuance ofthe photographing execution instruction); information that has to benotified to the user such as a call register; character informationincluding emails, phonebook data and the like; current time informationand the like. Here, when the open/close state detecting unit 16 outputsa detection signal indicating that the folding mobile communicationsterminal 1 is in the closed state and the control unit 34 detects thedetection signal, the display on the main display unit 13 is turned offor a backlight (not illustrated) installed in the main display unit 13is switched off by the control unit 34.

The sub-display unit 21 can be realized by any of color liquid crystaldisplay apparatus, a DMD, an organic EL display apparatus, a PDP and thelike. The sub-display unit 21 displays: a standby screen; informationthat has to be notified to the user such as a call register; currenttime information and the like.

The camera unit 22 is connected to the control unit 34 via a flexiblecable and the camera I/F 35, and includes a built-in camera. An image ofan object is formed on the surface of semiconductor photodetectorsthrough a photographic lens of the built-in camera (the photographiclens is positioned at the camera unit 22 on the outer surface of thesubhousing 12 shown in FIG. 1C). The formed image is converted intoelectrical signals of a certain quantity that is determined inaccordance with the amount of light received by each of thephotodetectors. The electrical signals are then analog-to-digitalconverted, and stored into the RAM 34 b in the control unit 34 via thecamera I/F 35 as image data. A CCD camera, a CMOS (complementary metaloxide semiconductor) camera or the like can be used for the built-incamera.

The camera I/F 35 has the camera unit 22 start a photographing operationresponding to a photographing operation start instruction from thecontrol unit 34. The camera I/F 35 has the camera unit 22 terminate thephotographing operation responding to a photographing operationterminating instruction from the control unit 34.

The “photographing operation” is an operation in which image data of anobject image captured by means of the camera unit 22 is sequentiallyoutputted, from the camera unit 22, to the control unit 34 and stored inthe RAM 34 b.

The operating unit 36 includes various function keys to receive theuser's instructions. According to the example of FIG. 1A, the operatingunit 36 includes: multi-function keys 14 a; a navigation key 14 b; anemail key 14 c; an OK key 14 d; an end key 14 e; a keypad 14 f; anInternet key 14 g; a start key 14 h; and the side key 14 i.

It should be noted that FIG. 1A shows only one example of variousfunction key types and arrangements included in the operating unit 36,and the present invention is not limited to such.

The multi-function keys 14 a have several different functions accordingto the contents of display on the main display unit 13. In detail, whena menu screen is displayed, the multi-function keys 14 a function asselection keys for the user to choose a desired item. When a standbyscreen is displayed, the multi-function keys 14 a function as keys foraccessing the menu screen.

The navigation key 14 b is used to move a cursor up/down/left/right.Depending on the contents of display on the main display unit 13, thenavigation key 14 b may function as a key to set a sound volume, a keyto access stored telephone numbers, or a key to perform kana-to-kanjiconversion.

The email key 14 c is used to display an email on the main display unit13. The email key 14 c is also used for deleting characters displayed onthe main display unit 13 or for returning to an immediately precedingdisplay.

The OK key 14 d is used to confirm the selection made using themulti-function keys 14 a.

The end key 14 e is used for switching the folding mobile communicationsterminal 1 on/off, and ending calls.

The keypad 14 f is used to input numbers and characters.

The Internet key 14 g is used for accessing a screen for Internetconnection.

The start key 14 h is used to start incoming and outgoing phone calls.

The above-mentioned various function keys can be push buttons, a touchpanel, or jog dials.

The voice processing unit 39 digital-to-analog converts communicationdata which is outputted from the modulating/demodulating unit 33, andoutputs the communication data to the receiver 17 in the form of soundsignals. The voice processing unit 39 also converts sounds that areoutputted from the microphone 15 into sound signals, and outputs thesound signals to the modulating/demodulating unit 33 as communicationdata to be transmitted.

Also, the voice processing unit 39 has the speaker 20 generate a warningsound, in response to a warning sound generating instruction issued bythe control unit 34.

The microphone 15 outputs sounds inputted thereto to the voiceprocessing unit 39.

The receiver 17 reproduces sounds based on the sound signals that areoutputted from the voice processing unit 39.

The light sensor unit 37 is realized by a detecting circuit including alight sensor (a photodiode, for example) that is a device for convertinglight signals into electrical signals, a resistor, and a transistor. Thelight sensor unit 37 outputs, to the control unit 34, a voltagegenerated in accordance with the quantity of light received by the lightsensor through the opening 25. The opening 25 is arranged so as to beclose to the photographic lens of the camera unit 22 as shown in FIG.1C.

Note that the position of the opening 25 is not limited to the positionshown in FIG. 1C. It can be arranged somewhere on the surface of one ofthe subhousing 11 and the subhousing 12.

The memory unit 38 receives image data of a captured object image fromthe control unit 34, and stores it.

Operation

The following part describes in detail the photographing controloperation performed by the control unit 34 with reference to FIG. 3,which is a flow chart presenting the photographing control operation.

The control unit 34 judges whether a user has inputted a photographingoperation start instruction or not, by detecting an operation signalthat is produced when the side key 14 i is pressed halfway down (stepS1001). If the photographing operation start instruction has beeninputted (step S1001:Y), the control unit 34 further judges whether thefolding mobile communications terminal 1 is in the closed state or not,by checking whether a detection signal has been outputted from theopen/close state detecting unit 16 (step S1002).

When the folding mobile communications terminal 1 is not in the closedstate (step S1002:N), the control unit 34 performs the photographingoperation through the camera I/F 35 (step S1003). Then, the control unit34 judges whether lightness is below a threshold level or not, byexamining whether a voltage outputted thereto from the light sensor unit37 is below a threshold voltage stored in the ROM 34 a (step S1004).

When the lightness is below the threshold level (step S1004:Y), thecontrol unit 34 has the camera I/F 35 terminate the photographingoperation (step S1005). Then, the control unit 34 has the voiceprocessing unit 39 generate a warning sound to notify that thephotographing operation has been terminated (step S1006).

When the lightness is not smaller than the threshold level (stepS1004:N), the photographing operation is continued (step S1003 and stepS1004).

When the folding mobile communications terminal 1 is in the closed statein step S1002 (step S1002:Y), the control unit 34 has the voiceprocessing unit 39 generate a warning sound (step S1006).

Supplementary Explanation

The folding mobile communications terminal according to the presentinvention is described in the above part with reference to theembodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the aboveembodiment. Example modifications are given below.

(1) According to the above embodiment, the camera unit 22 is arranged onthe outer surface of the sub housing 12. However, the camera unit 22 maybe arranged on the inner surface of one of the subhousing 11 and thesubhousing 12. In this case, if the display screen of the sub-displayunit 21 is large enough to display image data, image data outputted fromthe camera unit 22 can be displayed on the sub-display unit 21. Thisfeature allows a photographer to perform photographing only when thefolding mobile communications terminal 1 is in the open state. Thismeans that, even without the open/close state detecting unit 16, it ispossible to prevent attempts of taking sneak shots using the foldingmobile communications terminal 1 in the closed state.

(2) In the photographing control operation according to the aboveembodiment, the photographing operation is terminated when the lightnessis below the threshold level, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 3 (stepS1004 and step S1005). Instead of terminating the photographingoperation, however, a warning sound may be generated and thephotographing operation may be continued. This alternative photographingcontrol operation is shown in the flow chart of FIG. 4. As shown in FIG.4, when the lightness is below the threshold level (step S1004:Y), thecontrol unit 34 has the voice processing unit 39 generate a warningsound (step S1006).

As steps of the flow chart of FIG. 4 are the same as those of the flowchart of FIG. 3, their explanation will be omitted.

(3) In the photographing control operation according to the aboveembodiment and the modification (2), a warning sound is generated instep S1006 as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Note that, however, thewarning sound can be replaced with any of a warning voice message,warning light, and vibration alert.

(4) In the photographing control operation according to the aboveembodiment, when the folding mobile communications terminal 1 is in theclosed state, the photographing operation is terminated, as shown inFIG. 3. However, the photographing operation may be also terminated,when the folding mobile communications terminal 1 is in the partly-openstate. Whether the folding mobile communications terminal 1 is in thepartly-open state or not is, for example, detected in the followingmanner. A light sensor is provided in the open/close state detectingunit 16. This light sensor outputs, to the control unit 34, a voltagegenerated according to the quantity of light received by the lightsensor. The control unit 34 compares the voltage with a thresholdvoltage that is determined beforehand in connection with the partly-openstate, to perform the detection. In other words, the control unit 34examines whether the voltage outputted from the light sensor is belowthe above threshold voltage or not, so as to judge whether the foldingmobile communications terminal 1 is in one of the closed and partly-openstates, or not in step S1002 of the flow chart in FIG. 3.

(5) As for the photographing control operation according to the aboveembodiment, if the control unit 34 judges that the folding mobilecommunications terminal 1 is in the closed state while the photographingoperation is performed, the control unit 34 may terminate thephotographing operation, generate a warning sound, or terminate thephotographing operation as well as generate a warning sound.

(6) According to the above embodiment, a photographing control functionfor a folding mobile communications terminal is realized. However, thepresent invention is equally applicable to other devices such as digitalcameras and video cameras, as long as they are foldable.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A folding mobile communications terminal and a photographing controlmethod according to the present invention can be utilized to preventattempts of taking sneak shots by means of a folding mobilecommunications terminal that has a photographing function.

1. A folding mobile telephone that has a photographing function forrecording a photographed image and is openable and closable, comprising:a photographic lens which is exposed externally irrespective of whetherthe mobile telephone is in a closed state, a partly-open state, or acompletely-open state; a camera unit operable to capture an image; adetecting unit operable to detect that the mobile telephone is in one ofthe closed state; and a photographing control unit operable to disablethe photographing function while power supply is maintained to thecamera unit, when the detecting unit detects that the mobile telephoneis in the closed state.
 2. The folding mobile telephone of claim 1,wherein the photographing control unit includes a warning unit operableto generate a warning when the detecting unit detects that the mobiletelephone is in one of the closed state and the partly-open state. 3.The mobile telephone of claim 1, further comprising the detecting unitdetects that the folding mobile telephone is in the partly-open state by(i) measuring lightness which indicates a level of ambient light, and(ii) judging whether the lightness is below a threshold level.
 4. Themobile telephone of claim 3, wherein the photographing control unitgenerates the warning by emitting light.
 5. The mobile telephone ofclaim 3, wherein the photographing control unit generates the warning bymaking the mobile telephone vibrate.
 6. The mobile telephone of claim 3,wherein the photographing control unit generates the warning byoutputting a voice message.
 7. A folding mobile telephone that has aphotographing function for recording a photographed image and isopenable and closable, comprising: a photographic lens which is exposedexternally irrespective of whether the mobile telephone is in a closedstate, a partly-open state, or a completely-open state; a detecting unitoperable to detect that the folding mobile telephone is in thepartly-open state that is not completely open; and a photographingcontrol unit operable to, when the mobile telephone is in thepartly-open state that is not completely open to generate a warning,while maintaining the operability of the photography function forrecording photographic images.
 8. A folding mobile telephone of claim 7including means for providing a warning signal to a potential thirdparty photographic subject at a distance from the folding mobiletelephone.
 9. A folding mobile telephone that has a photographingfunction for recording a photographed image and is openable andclosable, comprising: a photographic lens which is exposed externallyirrespective of whether the mobile telephone is in a closed state, apartly-open state, or a completely-open state; a detecting unit operableto detect that the folding mobile telephone is in the partly-open statethat is not completely open; a photographing control unit operable to,when the folding mobile telephone is in the partly-open state togenerate a warning, and also maintaining a state of the photographingcontrol unit of realizing the photographing function, wherein; thedetecting unit detects that the folding mobile telephone is in thepartly-open state by (i) measuring light which indicates a level ofambient light, and (ii) judging whether the measured light is below athreshold level.
 10. A folding mobile telephone of claim 9 includingmeans for providing a warning signal to a potential third partyphotographic subject at a distance from the folding mobile telephone.11. A photographing control method for a folding mobile telephone thathas a photographing function for recording a photographed image and isopenable and closable, the mobile telephone including a photographiclens which is exposed externally irrespective of whether the mobiletelephone is in a closed state, a partly-open state, or acompletely-open state, the photographing control method comprising: adetecting step of detecting that the mobile telephone is in thepartly-open state that is not completely open; and a photographingcontrol step of generating a warning, and maintaining the state that iscapable of realizing the photographing function, when the folding mobiletelephone is in the partly-open state.
 12. The photographing controlmethod of claim 11 wherein the photographing control step generates thewarning at a sufficient intensity to be ascertainable by a potentialthird party photographic subject at a distance from the folding mobiletelephone.